Chairman of the Forum of Digital Innovators and Technology Entrepreneurs (FODITE), Segun Solomon, has said that approval of the Science, Technology and Innovation Policy as well as the Information, Communication, Technology and Digital Economy Policy by the State Executive Council will change the narrative of the tech industry in the state.
He also commended the state government for finally approving the policies after the long wait, stating that the tech community in the state has awaited the approval for a long time.
Solomon then called on the state government to ensure speedy implementation of the policies, adding that the tech communities also await further steps on the domestication of Startup Act in Osun.
He said, “I want to commend the Osun state government for finally approving the STI and ICT policies after a long time the conversation started. We have waited so long for this.
“When the conversation started, we were there; we saw the draft, made our contributions, and finally it was approved.
“What is next is the implementation, because that is when we’ll begin to see the impact, but I’m sure these policies, if well implemented, will change the narrative in the Osun Tech Industry.
“In the same we await further steps on the domestication of Startup Act in Osun. This is because the conversation started at the same time, and this will further strengthen the ecosystem and help us to shape it to align with global standard practice.
Speaking on the tech ecosystem development, Solomon maintained that it is evident that the government cannot do it alone, adding that as much as the government is calling for collaborations, the government should also be willing to extend hands of fellowships to the private sector stakeholders.
“The tech ecosystem in Osun is growing; as much as the government is calling for collaborations, the government should also be willing to extend hands of fellowship to us as stakeholders in the industry.
“This is because government is transient; when one administration goes, another one comes, but we are here; we are not going anywhere, so it is with us that the government can be sure of the sustainability of all its plans and programmes.
“We are also the set of people who can hold government accountable to its words while also ensuring proper implementation as well as monitoring and evaluation to ensure effectiveness and efficiency,” Solomon added.